The Stone Man of Avebury & the Argonauts! | Forum

suave harv Dec 30, 2003 19:45:18

Made me usual yuletime trip to Avebury last Saturday. And, as usual, I've come back with more questions than answers. . . .

1) The newly found stones. The people in the Barn and the Keiller museum weren't able to tell me where they were found, (a nice lady in the Barn gave me a press release though, the same one they printed in the Independent).
The chatty bloke in the brik-a-brak shop opposite the Red Lion said they found 17 stones buried (I thought there were 15!) around the North Inner circle (around the cove). He said "come back in 6 months and I'll give you a map of them". He also called himself the 'stone man of Avebury'.

2) The Red Lion. It's had a lick of paint. There's a fantastic well in one room, how long has that been on display? I assume it's the same water that runs outside the schoolhouse? And does the pub still have its silly 'lock in' rule for b&brs? (Wish the New Inn was closer!)

3) The 'inner' south circle, the one around the obelisk. I'm confused. There is a definite straight line of stones & markers there now, and some modern depictions of the circle (like the one on the tinted glass on the barn museum door) clearly show the straight line. Almost like a capital D than a circle. Yet all the old drawn maps show only circles. I wonder why?

4) Jason and The Argonauts . . is that a great film or what? I'm watching it now on a scratchy old video. Fookin' great! (well it *is* Xmas). I wonder what Ray Harryhousen (sp) thinks of Lord Of The Rings?
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Pete G Dec 30, 2003 20:07:32

Replying to suave harv

The Stone Man is Brian Sumbler and I would trust his word.
I have seen reports of 15, 17 and over 30 stones found.
Most are in the North quadrant where the Cove is.
The Red Lion was refurbished last July and yes they still lock you in.
The well has always been there, is it the source of the Ghost Florrie who was thrown down it and a stone placed ontop.
The Z-stones are Keillers reconstruction. he never did the other sections so there could be more.
Stukeley guessed it was a circle.
Jason rocks!
PeteG

Cursuswalker Jan 3, 2004 05:18:31

Replying to suave harv

I have fond memories of eating around Red Lion well with friends at winter Solstice 2002.

Not so fond memories of having to rush back for curfew from a late night foray to the Swindon Stone.

Apparently there's a good place further down the main street in Avebury without a lock in rule.

Not cheap though...